Wow… it never ceases to amaze me how complicated we can make this seemingly simple sport. The latest thing I’ve read about it performance mouthwear.
Yes, a custom-made mouthpiece that is supposed to help improve your endurance. The idea behind it is that the mouthpiece is supposed to help the athlete keep their jaw relaxed, thus keeping the entire body more relaxed so you can go faster and further; you’ll be more balanced, agile and focused.
There’s a whole YouTube video about the Under Armour Performance Mouthwear.
Another brand is the Makkar Pure Power Mouthguard. An article about these products was even in the New York Times recently.
These things will cost anywhere from $500 to THOUSANDS of dollars, plus you have dentist fees since they’re not off-the-shelf products. And I guess if you are a pro-athlete you might have money to throw around on every little thing to give you any kind of advantage, but for the average person? Methinks it is a bit out of range!
Part of me wants to laugh… I recall how weird my speech was affected by sticking a retainer in my mouth and can’t imagine going on a social run with friends and talking like that. (Although, I wish I knew where that retainer was and wish that I’d worn it more, my teeth have moved since that time! The more you know…)
But part of me is intrigued by the research…
I can think of plenty other things in my life that I could spend that kind of money on though. Just know… elite athletes with lots of money have access to even more things that all of us “common” folk don’t to make them kick our tail at the races!
Well, combined with their super-amazing natural talent…
haha
